With less than two years to go until the opening of the Paris 2024 Games, the mobilisation of French municipalities and territories to be Centres of Preparation for the Games (CPJ) is still gaining momentum. The OCOG has compiled a catalogue of 560 training venues. It is proposed to the National Olympic Committees, whose next general assembly is due to be held in October (19 to 21) in Seoul, South Korea.
Located less than two hours from Paris, the department of Aube is not lacking in assets. FrancsJeux interviewed Philippe Pichery, President of the Departmental Council.
FrancsJeux: What is, in detail, your CPJ offer?
Philippe Pichery: Aube has 12 sports infrastructures labelled CPJ. The CIME, in Troyes, is an international multi-sport complex, dedicated to climbing, badminton, basketball, boccia, handball, table tennis and volleyball (photo above). Also in Troyes, a BMX track; the omnisports hall for weightlifting, breaking, artistic gymnastics, judo and taekwondo; the Pierre Voillequin stadium for athletics and triathlon; the Chartreux swimming pool (swimming, triathlon and water polo); the Jacques Diot and André Keslick weapons room for fencing; the Cosec André Père for breaking; and finally the hall for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics In St-Julien-les-Villas, the Fernand Ganne gymnasium is CPJ for basketball, handball and volleyball. In Mathaux, the nautical base has been selected for rowing, canoe-kayak racing, para-rowing and para-canoeing. The Romilly-sur-Seine sports complex is used for athletics. In Nogent-sur-Seine, the sports hall can be used for all combat sports. All of these facilities are accessible to people with reduced mobility and are suitable for parasports. In Troyes, the Aube also has a sports centre with all the facilities (80 rooms, including 36 PRMs, i.e. 200 beds, catering, projection rooms, etc.) located in the heart of a mini-Olympic village, in the direct vicinity of the sports facilities as well as a sports medicine institute and a hospital.
What are the advantages of these facilities and the Aube department?
Aube has many assets. Most of the sports facilities are new, the others having been renovated for the Paris 2024 Games. Athletes will therefore be able to benefit from very high-level facilities. In addition to the diversity and quality of these sports facilities, Aube is a department located less than two hours from Paris, easily accessible, calm and green. It has always been a land of multicultural welcome.
How do you plan to support the reception of foreign delegations before the Paris 2024 Games?
As soon as they arrive on our territory, they will be taken care of in an optimal way on the sports and non-sports level. We will be at their service during their stay, with personalised and privileged support to meet their needs. We can offer them numerous activities and help them discover the charms and pleasures of the Aube, whether they be recreational, cultural or gastronomic (visit to the Champagne cellars, the lakes of the Orient Forest, the historic heart of Troyes, etc.). We are keen to involve the population in this major event and to make the reception of the foreign delegations a celebration: decoration in the colours of the country concerned, meetings with school groups and the sports movement, while obviously respecting the intimacy and calm necessary for their preparation. Aube is a territory that is resolutely motivated and committed to Paris 2024. As soon as France was designated as the host country for the 2024 Games, the department mobilised with the local authorities and representatives of sports clubs and committees to bring together, federate and unite the people of Aube around the event. This collective effort, focused on high-level sport, also encourages the development of sport for all. Since 2017, we have been increasing the number of events organised as part of our Terre de Jeux 2024 label. And we will have the pleasure of hosting the Olympic flame in June or July 2024 as a relay stage department.
What impact/legacy could the hosting of foreign delegations have for the department, beyond the Games?
We have taken advantage of this major sporting event to work with local authorities to build and renovate numerous sports facilities. They will serve the entire population before, during and after the Games. The hosting of top-level athletes should enable us to give a new impetus to encourage everyone to practice physical activity. In addition, these infrastructures will enable us to organise national and international competitions.
What kind of delegations do you hope to receive?
All delegations that choose Aube to prepare for Paris 2024 in the best possible conditions are welcome.
